macgregor



Feb. 3,-. 11931. Rg.' Maasai-:GCR 1,790,825

FIRE EXTINGUISHER Filed July 11, 192s 2 sheets-sheet 1 nvemtoz @gnwo @Him/mm3@ Feb.3, 1931. P.' G. MacGREGOR 1,790,825

FIRE EXTINGUISHER Filed July l1, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 'ik #H lillllll ||l||||; :Hummm Patented Fens, 1931 PETER 'GRAHAE MACGREGOR, or PE'QUANNOCR, NEW JERSEY,-AssIGNoRTQ PYRENE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, or

My present invention relates to lire extinguishers andit has for its object to ,providev certain improvements inthe valve mechanismand alsoin the means employed yin assem- 1. blingthe parts whereby the chambersmay be securely locked together, the securing devices also serving as 'one ofthe lparts lfor support` i. ing the device asa whole.

' 's io` The form-of lire extinguisher'with which my .iinprovements are intended to fbeused j n s -ofja suitable tire extinguishingliquid lbecomprises fluid and gas pressure chambers Y andthe valve mechanism embodying` my in- K vention comprises means for siri'iultaneously j is.

controlling the passage ofairor gasfrom the pressure chamber to the'fuid chamber and the exit of the fluid expelled from fthel last mentioned' chamber. In `accomplishing the appended claims.V

.- in section. s i

these'objects my invention further fcoinp'rei.v hends separate valve heads seating in valve chambers` and operated simultaneously in op-f positedirections by actuating devices arf ranged' exterior of the valve chambers.

To these and other Vends the invention also consists in certa-iii further improvements 'and combination of elements allaswill befully pointed out in Figure 2 isa view of the extinguisherasv seen from the rightiii` Figure Vil, the major Y portion'of the liquid chamber being shown Figurev 3 is a e guisher shown inv Figure 1, the valve mechanism being shown in section.

i Figure agis a bottom plan view o thehead of the extinguisher.' l

' Figure is a central vertical sectional view taken on the line 51h-5X of Figure provide a structure of this character andV also; 1 one which is adapted for use with-*airplanes 'and similar structures in which space'is lim- Similar reference numerals in vthe-several tigures,`indicate similar parts.V l Y The present invention may be embodied inf Y fire extinguishers adapted for various uses,

and my iiiventionis designed particularly to plan'viewY of the fire extin-A "orni a liquid-tightj'j-oiiit. The f plug e forms asupport on which thebottom*oi:` the j 'Y NEWARK, New' JERSEY,'A CORPORATION QPDELA- PIRE'EXTINGISHER Y i `V .The construction is Ysucizhmthat'it may be detachably connectedto a suitable part of an airplane by'brackets (10) and` (11), hereinafter more particularly described. "The extinguisher includes an outer shell (12). forming a fluid or liquidv'chamberland an'inner or pressure chamber (13) the wallsVv i of ythe two chambers beingspacedan appre" A ciabledistance from each othertoaccom:- 1 i modate 1an appreciable and adequate `,supply a' casting provided withconcentric -ianges f VThe head (1,5) is preferablyinthe form of V (16) andi (17 provided v with: rgroovesY fas shown inA Figures 4 and 55 receiving the upper ends of the chamber walls and (13). A

the headis made byv` soldering the upper ends thereof in their respective grooves.' The head (15) alsocarries a centrally disposed interv, nally screw-threaded boss (18) to'which'isV` connected a Vtie-rod (19)",4 the lower' end of which is provided with a 'shoulder (-20) and l projectsthrough thebottom of the inner lcon-jV tainer (13 where itis-soldered .or otherwise so connected with the bottomofztheinner lowerend of the tie-rod (.19) projects through., thefbottom 'of the ycontainer* (13)Y and is pro- Y70 union of the inner fandoutercharnbersiwith v.

v containeras to 'form' anjair tight joint. The

vided withfscrew threads and is adapted to]V 'l extinguishermay restand'incase's where the device is to be retained ina fixed position the [plug (21) is provided-witha depending screw-threaded portionV (22)V n.which will project through 'one army ofthe lsupporting,

bracket Y (10)'5`tc whichv itis Ysecured by la nut asshown'in Figures 1, 2'and5.

An openingy (24;) (Figuren) is formed in theA head-(15) to receive a' suitable air check' valife'f'(2.f the stem ovrwhich is providedV 'e with a removable Y cap; (26) g" `Upon removal 'Y of the latter, a suitable air pump, not shown,

or other source of air pressure may be connected to the valve stein for the purpose of charging the pressure chamber (13). `The pressure within the chamber (13) is indicated by a suitable pressure gauge (28), the stem of such gauge being insertedv and secured in the opening v(29) formed in the head (15).

The transfer of the pressure from the chamber V(13) to the liquidchamber (12), as well as the escape of the fire extinguishing liquid from the chamber (12), when subjected to such pressure, is controlledby a suitable valve mechanism, the details of` which are best shown in Figure 3. This mechanismis carried by the head and includes an air or pressure valve' head (31)' and a liquid or fluid valve head (32), both valves being arranged for reciprocatory. movement within a housing (33) preferably formed integral vwith the head (15)A and ar-v ranged to Yprovide separate valve chambers. The housing (33) is drilled fromopposite ends to provide an air passage (34) and a'liq` uid passage (35) which communicate, refspectively,V with the pressure'chamber (13) and liquid 'chamber (12) throughsuitable ports (36)'and (37) which extendupwardly;

from thebottomof the head .(15), as viewed in Figure5- The air valve chamber is provided at its inner end with a tapered seat surrounding the -end of the passage (34) and with which the correspondingly shaped en dlv of the valve head engages. The inner end of this valve head is reduced so` as to providey a passage betwee'nthe. seat and an air duct (39) leading to the liquid chamber (12). The liquid valve differs from the air valve in thatvts end is fiat and engages an annular bead (40) which serves as a seat theiefor at the outlet end ofthe liquid passage (35). The valve head (32) at'itsinner end, is reduced to providealiquidpassage (41) which communicates with a discharge pipe-(42)`through which the fa fire extinguishing liquid is directed in case of a'conflagration. Both of the valve headsl (31) kand (32) are reducedattheir outer ends and project outwardly through suitable stuffing boxes,.including gland nuts (43) and V('44),l respectively, which serve to limit them in their; respective opening movementsupon being engagedmby lthe stop shoulders (45) and` (46) formed on the heads. From 'the described arrangement of the valve heads (31) and (32),.itwill be understood that when they are in their closed positions as shown in Figure 3, communication; between Vthe pressure and fluid chambers is` closed and that communication is closed between the1 dis-.

a., charge pipe `(42) and the pickfuppipe (4 7) which communicates with the liquid passage (35) through the port '(37).' Itvwill also be understoodgthat when the valve heads (31) and (32) are retracted, or moved outwardly in opposite directions, communication between the air chamber and liquid chamber is established through the ports (36) and (39), and that communication between the pickup ipe (47) and the dischargepipe (42)'is esta lished through the port (37), passage (35) and liquid valve chamber (41)..

It is desirable ini a device of this character to operate the valve heads practically simultaneously; toprovide for the Yopening of theV shaft and arms cooperating; therewith which are attached to theva'lve heads and cooperate with' fixed stops on thecasing which act as fulcrums when the valve, headsl begin tejen-ll gage their seats.4

To these endsthe extremitiesof' the valve heads (31) and (32) are suitablyr connected to arms', (48) and (49), respectively,jwhich extendlaterally .in the same direction and preferably project over the top of the head (15).V At their free ends lthese arms are provided with. adjustable stop-screws '(50) and (51), the former of which is adaptedto engage a projection'or lug (52) `carried by the head (l5) andthe other similarly cooperating with an abutment or lug (53) preferably cast integral .with said head. The prime Vmover comprisesja shaft which `extends parallel tothe valve heads and' is provided withmightY and left hand screw threaded portions (54) and (55), which engage similarly lthreaded openings in the twoarms (48) and (49). The latter rest in slidingengagement upon the head- (15) and support the shaft, one end of which carriesa sleeve (58) which is held between `the shoulder. formed at the Vouter end ofthe screw threads (55) and thehub of a hand wheel (60) rigidly `fixed to the shaft. The sleeve is supported for longitudinal movement in a bracket ('59) sothatin the event a longitudinal movement is imparted' to the shaft by the arresting ofthe movement ofeither valve head-,in advance of the other a compensatory.r actioncmay be had sufcient to'allow the other valvehead to be seatedy without cramping the action yofrany of the movable parts. For instance, when the hand'wheel is rotated counter, clockwise, in Figures 1 and 3, the right and left hand screws separate the arms (48) and (49) and if the valve head (31) reaches the limit'of its movement Vand it is desired'to openthe fluid valve, a stillV greaterdista'ncathe con- A f bly mounted in the wall of the liquidrchamber (12). The valve heads (31) and f may be returned to their respective closed tinued partial rotation t of the shaft will cause it to be moved bodily by the action of the threads ('54) in the arm (48).

their respective open positions, fluid pressure is transmitted from the pressure chamber (13) to the liquid chamber (12) thro-ugh the port (36), air valve'chamber (38) and airduct (39), the fluid pressure being utilized within the liquid chamber (l2) to force the contents thereof upwardly from its lower end through the pick-up pipe (47), and out through the discharge pipe- (42) by way Vof theY port (37), liquid passage (35) and liquid valve chamber (41). By the arrangement and construction of the various parts entering into the valve actuating mechanism, it will be apparent that a given movement of the hand Wheel -in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 1,

will cause only a relatively slight movement of the valve (31) whereas considerable movement is imparted to the valve (32), the relative movement o-f the valve heads (3l) d.: and (32) with respect to each other being desirable for the reason that only a slight opening of the valve (31) is necessary to permit unrestricted flow of compressed-'air therethrough, whereas a greateropening of the valve (32) is ydesirable vin order to permit unrestrictedY release of the hre extinguishing liquid.

If desired, the hand wheel (60) may be provided with an actuating lever (61) provided at its outer end with a plurality of openings (62), -which serve to enable a rope` or chain to be easily attached'to the lever so thatthe extinguisher may be operated from a remote point, as for example, when the-device is used in connection withan airplane.

' After operating' the apparatus, the liquid chamber' (l2) may be refilled with a fire extinguishing liquid by removing the usual type of filler cap (64) and introducing the? liquid until it risesto a height where it can be seen through the sight glass (65,) suitapositions either before orafter theV liquid chamber (12)j is filled with liquid, but such valves must e closed before Vatten'ipting to recharge the pressure chamber (13) ,Y as .will 1" be readily understood.y In I novingl the valves to their respective closed positions,l the valve (31) is first seated whereuponthe' shaft (56) is caused to move longitudinally until the hub portion of thev hand wheel (60) engages the bearing (59) kas shown in .Figure 3. After such engagement has beenV established, continued rotation of the shaft causes the.Y valve head (32) Vto continue to move until such time as it engages its seat.

y Asrthe valve heads'V (31) and (32) engage'.

(51) engage their respective"v abutments so Y that t-he valve actuating arms ('48) vvand (49) As the valves (31) and (32) are moved to! are relieved vof'any undue `strain oir-stresses when forcing` thevvalvesinto firm engagement withV their respective seats, such undue strains or stresses Vbeing obviated'by reason of the fact that the thrusts at opposite ends of the valve actuating'arms (48) and (49),V respectively, are equalized atthe'time the'- Y valve heads (31) and engage their respective seats,as will be readily understood.

Having thus described theV invention,

what is claimed is:V

1, In a fire extinguisher, gas andrfluid chambers having a connecting passage, the fluid chamber being provided with a fluid outlet, separate valve heads controlling said passages, said heads being offset relatively toeachother and disposedfor parallel axial movement in opposite directions, and `an Vactuator disposed in a plane atonerside of the valve heads and arranged to simultaneously move said heads in opposite-directions to alternately open and close. said passages.

Y2. lIn. a iireextinguisher, gasV and fluid chambers lhaving. connecting passage, the fluid chamber being `)v )rovidedw'ith a. fiuid outlet, separate valve chambers disposed in offset from the axes ofsaid chambers for moving thefvalve heads axially inl oppositev directions simultaneously.

` 4. In a valve control mechanisnnihe combination Vwith two valve chambers, Vvalve heads therein extending VYin opposite direc-y tions, and arnesi extending laterally therefrom, of a rotatable operating shaft and right and left hand screw thread connections between said shaft-.and arms,

5. In aV valvecontrol mechanism,'tlie combinationy with two valve chambers, valve heads therein extending in opposite direc# tions, arms extending laterally fronithe valve heads, of an operating shaft `having right and ric left hand screw thread connectionswith saidV` arms and stops cooperatingwith the arms ffoi" limiting their movement relatively toward each other.

Y e 6. In a valve control mechanism, the coni- 's binationk with two valve chambers, `valve Vheads therein extending in` opposite directions, of an operating shaft at one 'side of and parallel to said heads` mountedffor rotary movement and limited longitudinal move screw threads, actuating arms connecting said valve heads to the screw threaded por-VL ment, arms attached to the latter and having right and left hand screw thread connections with said shaft and adjustable stops cooperating with the arms and limiting their relative movement. i Y

7. In a valve control mechanism, the combination with twovalve chambers, valve heads therein extending in opposite directions, parallel arms extending laterally from the valve heads and connected thereto at one end and stops cooperating with the opposite ends of the arms for limiting their relative movement, of a rotatable shaft having right and left hand screw thread connections with intermediate points of said arms.

8. In a nre extinguisher, a fluid chamber for a fire extinguishing fluid, a pressure chamber for a compressed gas, a pressure valve controlling the passage of pressure from said pressure chamber to said fluid chamber. a fluid valve controlling the passage of fluid from said fluid chamber, said valves comprising heads movable in opposite directions, a revoluble actuating shaft having different portions provided with opposit-ely pitchedl screw threads, and actuating arms connecting said valve heads to the screw threaded portions of said shaft for transmitting movement to said valves in opposite directions upon rotation of said shaft.

9. In a lire extinguisher, a fluid chamber for a fire extinguishing fluid, a pressure chaluber for a compressed gas, a pressure valve controlling the passage of pressure from said 'pressure chamber to said fluid chamber, a

fluid valve controlling theV passage of fluid from said fluid chamber, said valves comprising heads movable in oppositedirections, a revoluble actuating shaft having different portions provided with oppositely pitched tions of said shaft for transmitting movement to said valves in opposite directions upon rotation of said shaft, said valve actuating arms being provided with fulcrum extensions, and stop means adapted to c'ooperate with 1said fulcrum extensions upon seating of said valve heads to equalize the thrusts imparted thereto by saidshaft.

10. In a fire extinguisher, a fluid chamber fora fire extinguishing fluid, a pressure chamber for a compressed gas, a pressure valve vcontrolling the passage of pressure from said pressure chamber to said fluid chamber,a fluid valve controlling the passage of fluid from' said fluid chamber, .saidk valves comprising heads movable in oppo site directions, arevoluble actuating shaft having dierent portions provided with oppositely pitched screw threads, actua-ting arms connecting said valve heads tothe screw threaded portions of said shaft for trans-` mitting movement to said valves in oppositeV directions upon rotation ofsaid shaft, said valve actuating arms being provided with fulcrum extensions, stop means adapted to co-operate with said fulcrum extensions chamber for a compressed gas, a. pressure valve controlling the passage of pressure from.V said pressure chamber to said fluid chamber, a fluid valve controlling the passage of fluid from said fluid chamber, said valves comprising heads movable in opposite directions, a revoluble actuating shaft having different portions provided with oppositely pitched screw threads, actuating arms connecting said valve heads to the screw threaded portions of said shaft for transmitting movement to said valves in opposite di-V rections upon rotation of said shaft,a sleeve carried by said shaft, and a bearing in which said sleeve is movably mounted.

12. In a lire extinguisher, a fluid `chamber for a fire extinguishing fluid, a pressure chamber for a compressed gas, apressure valve controlling the passage ofl pressure from said pressure chamber toV said fluid chamber, a fluid valve controlling the passage of fluid from said fluid chamber, said valves comprising` heads movable in opposite directions, a revoluble actuating shaft having different portions provided with oppositely pitched screw threads, actuating arms connecting said valve heads tothe screw threadedportions of said shaftffor transmitting movement to said valves in opposite directions `upon rotation of said shaft, a shoulder provided upon said shaft, an operating member carried by said shaft, a sleeve carried by said shaft and confined thereon intermediate said shoulder and saidY operating member, and a bearing in which said sleeve is slidably mounted. A

13. In a fire extinguisher comprising a head, a fluid chamberv having one end se-V cured to and closed by'said head, a pressure chamber having one end secured to and closed by -said head, the other end being spaced fromthe -corresponding end of said fluid chamber and a tie-rod common to said chambers, said tie-rodjbeing connected at one of its ends to said head and at its other end to said/chambers. i

1 4. In Va fire extinguisher comprising aA head, a fluid chamber having one end secured to and closed by said head, a pressure chamber having one end secured to and closed by said head, the other rend being spaced from the corresponding end of said fluid chamber and a tie-rod common to said sov 1 Luv' chambers, said tie-rodv being connected at one of its ends to said head and at its other end to said chambers7 an extension carried by said other end of said tie-rod, and a supporting bracket' secured to said extension.

15. In a re extinguisher. comprising a head, a Huid chamber having one end se' cured to and closed by said head, a pressure chamber having none end secured. to and closed by said head, the other end being spaced from the corresponding end of Said Huid chamber and a tie-rod common to said chambers, VsaidY tie-rod being connected at one of its ends to said head and at its other end to said chambers, an extension carried by said other end of said tie-rod, a supporting bracket secured tosaid extension, and a clamp ring embracing one of said chambers,

said bracketA and clamp ring serving collectively as a support. v

In testmon whereof, I have ahxed my signature to t is specification.

PETER GRAHAM VMACGrREGrOR. 

